Dynamics of Completion

The Enneagram as Process — a Primer

Enneagram sample: Kitchen at Work

The lesser-known function of the enneagram is a system for processing complex operations towards completion. Many of you who are readers — the above diagram know the enneagram (nine-picture) as a tool for nine personality types. The enneagram operates on the Mystery Numbers as uncovered most recently by Nikola Tesla (discovered by Pythagoras) as the 3, 6, 9 sequence or the triad:

Law of Three

The law of three manifests 9–3–6 that exists outside of linear space-time. In this trinity, plus six numbers are amongst the nine that are the spine and essence of the completion process. Nine on the triangle or triad represents the entire process and is the neutral or reconciling force. Nine is The Kitchen At Work. Three is the Yang / Active or Affirming Force: Raw Materials — Vegetables, Meats, Beverages. Six is the Yin /Receptive Force. The diners are the six or yin/receptive force.

Nine

The number Nine is completion, it represents the sum of all the parts of the process, and is a mystical element as represented by the gap between numbers 4 and 5.

Nine is also an invisible force.

Three & Six

Three represents the law of three, a building block of the universe. Number #3 is a positive urge or active principle. The receptive principle is number 6. 9 is a neutral urge/position or a reconciling principle. The law of three supports all actions and yet is separate from linear actions.

Three and Six operate on two plains of existence: a progression from 1 to 4 followed by a shock that activates 5 through 8 in an exterior cause-and-effect relationship, the inner lines are the connecting / uniting principles that are not so easily recognized and the 9–3–6 triad.

Inner Lines

The inner lines can also flow in reverse supporting the internal structure of the process.

There are 6 inner lines. Six is the middle number of the 3–6–9 triad supporting the sacred numbers of Pythagoras and the law of three.

One through Four

Follows the beginning of the process of completion. It is about the preparation of making the space for a transformation to enter. A shock from the outside or from the divine enters between 4 and 5 when 4 is completed.

In my younger days, I would execute steps 1–4 and fail repeatedly (not knowing about the enneagram or the law of three). Using neutral space — the logic from the law of three and the enneagram of the process I experienced the epiphanies of completion along with the usual work towards goals.

One is the ground that holds the space. The kitchen is organized for the tasks ahead. One Goes to Four.

[Three — every process has raw materials, whether in this example they are vegetables, meats, eggs, grains, beverages and sweets. It manufacturing it is source materials, sustainable or not, or services where the personnel — humans are the most sustainable contributing through right service. Three is the active or positive urge.]

Four can only happen from a secured organized space. This step is the completion of the actions of 1, 2 and the pickup from 3. The reverse (four to one) is also valid as “the action” is the logical step from the ground that holds the space.

Two is the plan. The way forward, whether invented or uncovered it is the map of the territory. Two Goes to Four.

Four in relation to Two are the actions that arise from the plan or the map. Four supports Two as the logical next step to the plan.

Five through Nine

This is fueled by the energy released from the shock. The subsequent actions catapult the next steps that go towards completion.

Five results from the action from the shock (the gap in the first figure between 4 and 5). The shock is the impetus for the transformation, where five is the result. In the diagram’s case, 5 is cooking, but really it’s the cooking that is finished. In the process of meditation, four is the continued practice of the steps of the meditation without expecting results and this opens the space for the spiritual to enter — the shock that makes transformation happen. Five Goes to Seven.

[Six is the community, family or one; it’s just you. Without people to eat the meal, then the process is a wash. That’s a straightforward decision, right? Six is the receptive urge.]

Seven is the cook or the wait staff serving the meal in this case. Transformation has happened. Whether your process is bringing a product to market, a service or personal growth, delivery of the result of the transformation to the recipients, even if it's yourself is important. Do you accept, defer, or reject? Presentation, whether a cooked meal a product or a service, is part of the experience. Presentation of the meal artistically is a feast for the eyes.

Five Goes to Eight. The transformation of the cooked food filled with the love and presence in the meal as the shock of spirit from the outside supports nourishment on many levels. Eating and receiving the physical, emotional/love and presence, though (5–8). Products and services, when transformed by the recipients, make something greater than the parts.

Cooking makes serving the meal possible.

Eight, the product or the service is used by you or a group. Here — eating a meal. With a product or a service, it is how either is received and used by those that want and/or need it.

One to Seven and Two to Eight

Seven goes to One and One goes to Seven creates a bond between two spaces. The “One space” is the manufacturing plant, the place of service or the kitchen ready to go that supports serving the meal. The Seven space is delivering the product or with meditation taking the practice into daily life.

Eight goes to Two and Two goes to Eight the diners, the purchasers of products, the recipients of service rely on the plan: recipe for the meal, the design of the product and those needed to serve — to have been completed before they take a bite of food and so on. Likewise, the head chef and their assistants, the team must follow a plan — a recipe for the diners.

[Nine is also an invisible force and is often overlooked in everyday life. Neutrality technical speaking is not an urge or a force per se. A neutron as part of an atom holds no charge, whereas electrons are negatively charged and protons are positively charged. When we exclude 9 from the equation, we have an octave since it is both neutral and the combination of all the parts into the unity of the entire process.]

Coming soon: The Enneagram: Meditation as a Completion Process. It includes the linear journey of 1–9, the Inner Lines and the Parallel Lines as a dynamic self-sustaining look at the process of Vipassanā Meditation.

Notes:

Enneagram as Process from J. G. Bennett’s & G.I. Gurdjieff

For in-depth reading on the Enneagram as a process system: The Intelligent Enneagram by A.G.E. Blake

For more on Gurdjieff, Bennett, and the enneagram:

Thanks for reading. I know this is heady material. I find that just looking at the diagram lends towards a feeling of unity and completion within my being.

All comments, questions, and discussions are welcomed.

Melanie J., Marcus, Joseph Lieungh, Regina Clarke, Rebecca Romanelli, Winston, Filiz Özer